Handbook - Alameda Social Services

1 Alameda County In- home supportive Services Handbook 2 The Public Authority for IHSS is a public service and advocacy organization that specializes in promoting independent living and supporting high-quality homecare Services for IHSS consumers and homecare workers in Alameda County. Last updated: January 2014 Originally written by L. Ayala and M. Blackwell, Public Authority for IHSS in Alameda County. 2008 Public Authority for IHSS in Alameda CountyIntroduction This Handbook was created for IHSS workers (providers) and consumers (recipients). We suggest you review and discuss this Handbook together.

2 We sincerely hope this Handbook will help you better understand how the IHSS program works, the responsibilities of the consumer and homecare worker, and the many resources available to you. In partnership, Carmen Rivera Hendrickson, Advisory Board Chair Charles Calavan, Executive Director Lori Cox, Agency Director Randy Morris, Assistant Agency Director 3 Alameda County Social Services Agency Alameda County Board of Supervisors Scott Haggerty Richard Valle Wilma Chan Nate Miley Keith Carson Table of Contents In- home supportive Services (IHSS) In- home supportive Services Description ..6 IHSS Services .

3 7 IHSS Does Not Pay For ..9 IHSS Social Worker Responsibilities ..9 Share of Cost ..10 Advance Appeals (Fair Hearing)..11 Hiring an IHSS Homecare Worker ..12 Face-to-Face Interview ..13 Worker Enrollment with IHSS ..14 Who is the Homecare Worker s Employer? ..15 First Days on the Getting Paid Time Sheets ..17 Pro-rated Hours ..18 Direct Late/Lost Paychecks ..19 Income Tax Withholding (W-4 & W-2 Forms) ..20 IHSS Payroll Department Responsibilities ..20 Homecare Worker Benefits Worker s Compensation ..21 State Unemployment Insurance Benefits (SUI) ..21 Social Security (FICA).

4 21 State Disability Insurance Benefits (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) ..21 Health Insurance ..22 Vacation & Sick Leave ..22 Worker Representation (Union)..23 Homecare Worker Responsibilities ..25 Consumer The Public Authority for IHSS ..27 4 5 Public Authority Registry ..27 Hiring a Registry Worker ..28 Workers: Need a Job? ..29 Public Authority Advisory Board ..30 Training & Education ..31 Helpful Tips and Hints ..32 Transportation Accident Prevention and Health & Safety ..34 Universal Precautions ..34 Emergency Preparedness ..35 On the Job Injuries ..35 Legal Matters.

5 36 Privacy and Confidentiality ..36 Driving and Auto Insurance ..36 Abuse ..37 Mandated Reporting of Abuse ..37 Important Phone Numbers ..39 Factsheets ..40 Questions? How to contact IHSS ..41 FAQ & Navigating the IHSS Phone System ..42 INDEX ..44 In- home supportive Services Description In- home Support Services (IHSS) is a state program administered by Alameda County. IHSS provides homecare assistance to eligible aged, blind or individuals with disabilities. This assistance allows program participants to live safely and independently in their homes rather than living in institutions or nursing homes.

6 The IHSS program supports this by paying a worker to provide domestic and/or personal care Services . An IHSS Social Worker approves the Services based on the consumer s need. The consumer then selects and hires a worker to provide the Services . Who s Who? The Consumer People who receive IHSS are called: recipient, client, employer, or consumer. The Homecare Worker People who provide assistance are called: provider, chore provider, personal assistant, attendant, employee, homecare worker, or worker. To apply for IHSS in Alameda County, call IHSS at (510) 577-1800 or go to 6 IHSS Services Domestic Services Sweeping, vacuuming, washing and waxing floors Washing kitchen counters and sinks Cleaning the bathroom Storing food and supplies Taking out the garbage Dusting and picking up Cleaning the stove and oven Cleaning and defrosting the refrigerator Changing the bed Meals Menu planning Preparing, cooking and serving meals Washing.

7 Drying and putting away dishes Routine laundry Washing Mending Ironing Folding and storing clothes Grocery shopping and errands Shopping and errands are limited to the nearest available stores or other facilities consistent with the IHSS consumer s cost, nutrition and cultural needs The worker is expected to shop without the consumer; extra time is not given for the consumer to shop with the worker 7 IHSS Services Personal Care Services Dressing Routine baths, oral hygiene and grooming Bowel and bladder care Assistance with self-administering oxygen Assistance with feeding Care and assistance with prosthetic devices and medications Routine menstrual care Walking and assistance with repositioning Rubbing of skin to promote circulation Taking the consumer to medical and other appointments Provider is not paid for being at appointment or for waiting for the consumer to complete the appointment Protective Supervision Only for mentally impaired persons who meet specific criteria 8 Paramedical Services Such as tube feeding, injections.

8 Wound care Only when ordered by a licensed health care professional and administered under that professional s direction Heavy Cleaning One-time only with IHSS Social Worker pre-approval IHSS Does Not Pay For : Gasoline, mileage, parking or public transportation costs : Routine gardening or other outdoor work : Pet care (feeding, cleaning up after, or exercising) : Moving furniture, boxes, etc. : Washing windows : Household chores for visitors or family members who are not IHSS consumers : Paying bills : Care when the consumer is in the hospital or nursing home IHSS Social Worker Responsibilities Receive applications and determine if individuals qualify for IHSS Services Initial and yearly assessment/ home -visit Approve Services and monthly hours for Services to consumers Reassess Services and hours when requested because of change in consumers functioning level or living situation Provide information and referrals to community resources To apply for In- home supportive Services , call (510)

9 577-1800 or go to 9 Share of Cost Consumers whose income is greater than the SSI benefit level may be required to pay a portion of the cost of their IHSS Services . This is called the share of cost. The IHSS Social worker will inform the consumer if they have a share of cost. Consumers must inform their worker. The State will mail a letter to the consumer and worker after each pay period showing the share of cost amount that was deducted from the worker s check. The consumer pays the share of cost monthly, from his/her own money, to the homecare worker. If the consumer does not pay the share of cost, he/she may be terminated from IHSS Services .

10 (The county is not responsible for ensuring that the consumer pays the share of cost.) Advance Pay Some consumers receive funds each month to pay their homecare worker directly. This is called Advance Pay. Consumers must be authorized for at least 20 hours of personal care Services to be considered for the Advance Pay program. Consumers and homecare workers must submit to Payroll completed timesheets each month. For more information on Advance Pay, consumers can contact their IHSS Social Worker. 10 Appeals (Fair Hearing) Whenever the County makes any change in Services , the consumer receives a Notice of Action letter at least 10 days before the effective date of the change.